Economic tensions between Russia and the West are nearing boiling point as the Kremlin deploys arguably its most powerful economic weapon to cut off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, both members of NATO. Europe, which relies heavily on Russian natural gas for home heating and electricity production, is struggling to reduce this energy dependence since invading Ukraine. Germany said on Tuesday it hoped to find an alternative to Russian oil imports in the coming days.
The United States and the United Nations said on Tuesday they were watching reports of explosions in Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova. The UN has called on the countries involved to “refrain from any statements or actions that could escalate tensions” amid fears that Russia’s ambitions could spill Ukraine’s borders into neighboring Moldova.
Some Western analysts say a successful seizure of power in Moldova could give Russian President Vladimir Putin a “cheap victory” – although others doubt the Kremlin has the capacity while it is also mired in eastern Ukraine. The Institute for War Research also said Russia had “adopted a stronger model of operational movement” in the region, from Izyum to Rubezhnoye, where it was “making better progress” than its other recent achievements.
The UN, meanwhile, said during a meeting Tuesday with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that he had agreed “in principle” to allow the evacuation of civilians from steel production in Mariupol, which is surrounded by Russian troops. Kyiv has said in recent days that the Kremlin has carried out air strikes on the plant, where Ukrainian fighters are also hiding. On Tuesday, Putin reiterated his promise not to attack the plant, despite making similar assurances in recent weeks.
Here’s what else you need to know
- Senior U.S. defense officials on Tuesday made urgent arguments for sending more weapons to Ukraine, telling delegations from more than 40 countries that the coming weeks of war would be “so crucial.”
- Ukrainian authorities in Kherson said the Kremlin had installed a pro-Moscow administration in the city a day after Russian forces took over the city council building.
- Fires have erupted in Siberia this spring, and some experts are concerned that Russia may not have enough military resources to put out the blaze, especially as fire activity increases in the summer as it invades Ukraine.
- The Washington Post has removed its paid wall for readers in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram users can subscribe to our update channel.
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